Eliminating Outside Winners in the Vise Squeeze
In his exposition on vice squeezes, Reese noted that the player with the control in the vise suit could prevent the squeeze by saving an outside winner. He also notes that the player might not perceive the need to save an outside winner hence might discard it earlier in the play.
It is not always that simple.
The Double Vice Squeeze
A posting in rec.games.bridge (click here) noted that the excess winner can sometimes be squeezed out. The position is this:
K10
A
x
--
QJ Ax
-- --
KJ Q10
-- --
x
x
Ax
--
Now both players stop diamonds. But on the lead of the ace of hearts from dummy, first Righty is forced to pitch a diamond, then Lefty is caught in a vise squeeze.
Squeeze-Trim of Outside Winners
A key feature of this is having a winner in the suit Righty wants to save the extra card. The position could also be this:
K10
A
--
x
QJ Ax
-- --
KJ --
-- xx
xx
--
x
A
On the lead of a heart, Righty is squeeze-trimmed/sqtrex1.htm Discarding a spade allows the king of spades to be set up by ducking a spade. So Righty discards a club. A club to the ace now eliminates Righty's club and vice squeezes Lefty.
Next: "Complex" Vise Squeeze
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